James MartinFor the longest time, I thought that I wanted to be buried when I died. But when the topic recently came up with a friend, she said some things that made me consider being cremated instead.
She shared that almost everyone in their family had their ashes scattered somewhere, and it was pretty much a tradition at this point. When the time comes, her wish is to be scattered in the ocean, where her best memories are.
The way she explained it made it sound so symbolic that I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I found myself looking up more about the subject as soon as I got home.
In the process, I ended up being very familiar with the most reputable cremation services in Halifax. I’ve listed them below so you can see for yourself.
How much do cremation services cost in Halifax?
In Halifax, basic cremation services usually cost around $1,500, while full-service cremation packages can fetch upwards of $3,000. The latter typically includes a memorial or a celebration of life ceremony.
How We Chose the Best Cremation Services in Halifax
1. JA Snow Funeral Home
Address: 339 Lacewood Dr
Phone: +1 902 455 0531
Business Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – Open 24 hours
JA Snow Funeral Home has been around for so long that it’s helped families through several generations of funerals. With over 135 years of experience, they’ve essentially got everything you could ask for, from black car service to catering.
We appreciate that they allow clients to either go full traditional or be more modern with a celebration of life ceremony. That way, people can remember the deceased however they feel is best.
You can ask them to use remembrance jewelry for the remains if you’re not into the idea of using an urn. Their personnel can also assist you with scattering or simply deliver the ashes to your home.
For the most part, their staff members handle the services with compassion and respect. But there have been a few instances where some families felt that they were being rushed during the day of the funeral.
Very kind and considerate
“I had lots of questions and the team was very kind and considerate of my state of mind when answering said questions. I was so relieved when I was told that the government paperwork/notifications would be completed for me by a staff member. It took alot of the stress off of me.”
Michelle Clarke, Google Review
Our experience with them has been excellent
“Our experience with JA Snow’s has been excellent. We dealt with Snows 2 years ago for our mother’s sudden passing, and again this year for our father’s. Both situations were handled beautifully, with all details taken care of in a respectful and professional manner. This year’s funeral was the first I had to organize on my own, and Snows made that extremely smooth for me. Connor was in control of everything going on that day, always there when I had questions or needed her, yet very subtle in the background. I felt confident that things would go well, and they did.”
Leigh Noftle, Google Review
2. Harbourside Crematorium
Address: 2632 King St
Phone: +1 902 233 7331
Business Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – Open 24 hours
Harbourside Crematorium is a no-frills funeral home that offers simple yet dignified cremation services. They’re currently the most affordable choice in Halifax.
You can choose from a good variety of urns for the deceased, from unadorned wood box urns to colorful metallic jars. They also have lovely butterfly and rose-shaped ones that are a bit pricier than the rest.
Something that stood out to us is their counseling services for customers experiencing grief. You can access interactive videos and informative resources online or join a grief support group that’ll be by your side through this tough time.
Staff members also make it a point to make the process as easy as possible. Customers share that everyone they dealt with was kind, patient, and efficient.
The only area they fall short on is communication. They’re hard to reach via phone — a huge flaw, considering that you can only make appointments by calling.
Kind, understanding, and patient every step of the way
“I can’t say enough about the service we received here and particularly from Tim. He was kind, understanding and patient every step of the way. He explained the process, let us know what to expect and was able to carry out the process within our timeline. He’s been doing this for 40 years but hasn’t lost his sense of compassion for the grief he faces daily. Thank you Tim and Harbourside.”
Sara Hosseinian, Google Review
Everything was handled with care and efficiency
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Tim for his compassion and professionalism. He truly made this part of the process as smooth as possible, with his kindness and attention to detail. The staff has also been incredibly supportive, promptly making any necessary edits to the obituary. Everything was handled with care and efficiency, and we deeply appreciate their unwavering kindness and support during such a devastating time. We highly recommend Harbourside Crematorium for their exceptional service.”
Pamela Feltmate, Google Review
3. Cruikshank’s Halifax Funeral Home
Address: 2666 Windsor St
Phone: +1 902 423 7295
Business Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – Open 24 hours
Cruikshank’s Halifax Funeral Home has been providing personalized services since 1902. Over the years, thousands of families from different faiths and cultures have walked through their doors, including those who lost people when the Titanic sank.
They have a spacious chapel that can be transformed to accommodate religious events. We found it super convenient that you can make arrangements for this purely through phone or email.
You’ll be assisted by one of their personnel, who’ll help you plan everything. They know that it can be overwhelming, so they usually take the reins and handle as much as they can.
With catering and a tribute video production, most customers feel that their memorials are excellent. However, some have shared that they need better speakers for music.
Once everything is done, you’ll have to make the decision between choosing an urn or a keepsake jewelry for the ashes. This can either be personally delivered to your home or by mail.
By the time we finished all my arrangements, I left with a sense of relief
“Caroline made the process very easy. She took the time to explain everything to me and answer all of my questions. By the time we finished all of my arrangements, I left with a sense of relief. Knowing that everything is taken care of for my sons. I would highly recommend Cruikshank’s Funeral Home. Ask for Caroline you won’t be disappointed.”
Tania Lavoie, Google Review
They made a very sad occasion easier than I thought possible
“The staff, particularly Connor, was always in the background making sure everything was being tended to and ready to answer any questions, but they were never in the forefront. this made the experience very smooth and organized. Through their professionalism and compassion, Cruikshank’s made a very sad occasion easier than I thought possible.”
Phil Brown, Google Review
4. J. Albert Walker Funeral Home
Address: 149 Herring Cove
Phone: +1 902 477 5601
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday 0 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Saturday – 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Sunday – Closed
J. Albert Walker Funeral Home is perfect for families whose members aren’t all located in Halifax. They’ve recently installed livestreaming technology so that loved ones, near or far, can be present for the memorial.
After further reviewing their facilities, we think they’re one of the most inclusive parlors out there. Their spacious gathering room, which allows different kinds of religious services, is fully wheelchair accessible and can accommodate up to 150 guests.
During the actual services, many clients shared that they were attended to by compassionate and caring staff members. But there were also some who complained about other personnel being somewhat abrasive.
Their funeral directors, on the other hand, have received nothing but praise. But you have to reach out to them just to know what decorative urns they have in stock — information that they refuse to share publicly online.
Accommodating, professional, and efficient
“The staff at this location are like a part of our family. They have been with us through the worst year of our lives and have done anything they can to help us through it. they are accommodating, professional, and efficient all while they continue to maintain respect for your family member. Jada is a literal angel, and we would have been so lost without her this year. thank you all for all that you do. it takes a special person to be in this profession, and you guys are truly the best.”
Taletha Stevenson, Google Review
They took care of my father like he was family
“The staff at Walker Funeral home couldn’t be more perfect. From the moment my father passed to the day we walked out the door with his ashes. They were everything I wanted and what my father would have wanted. They took care of him like he was family. He was born and raised in the area so it was only right that we hired them for this rough process. It takes a certain person to do what they do and they do it with pride. From The Deyoung/Hughes family, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Matt Deyoung, Google Review
5. East Coast Memorial
Address: 186 Water Street, PO Box 3693 Windsor, Nova Scotia B0N 2T0
Phone: (902) 456-7869
Business Hours: Monday to Sunday – Open 24 hours
We turned to East Coast Memorial during a very difficult and emotional time, and the care we received made a meaningful difference for us. From our first conversation, we felt a quiet sense of calm. They spoke to us gently, never rushing, and explained each step of the cremation and memorial process in a way that was clear but compassionate. It helped us feel grounded when everything else felt overwhelming.
Throughout the arrangements, their professionalism stood out. Every detail was handled with care, from the paperwork to the scheduling, and we never felt like we had to follow up or worry that something would be missed. They were organized and respectful, which allowed us to focus on honoring our loved one rather than managing logistics. Even small gestures, like checking in with us at the right moments, showed that they understood the emotional weight of what we were going through.
What stayed with us most was the dignity they brought to the memorial service itself. The space was peaceful and thoughtfully prepared, creating an environment where family and friends could reflect and share memories comfortably. Nothing felt impersonal or rushed; instead, it felt like they genuinely wanted to help us create a moment that felt right for our family.
By the end of the process, we felt grateful that we had chosen East Coast Memorial. They handled our loved one’s final arrangements with respect, sensitivity, and quiet strength. In a time marked by loss, they provided steadiness and care, and that is something we will always remember.
6. A.L. Mattatall Funeral Home
Address: 217 Portland St, Dartmouth
Phone: +1 902 461 0700
Business Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – Open 24 hours
Those who want an unconventional memorial usually find what they’re looking for at A.L. Mattattal Funeral Home. This parlor is great with creative memorials, whether that means blasting your parents’ favorite music or having someone’s pet as a guest.
With them, the sky is the limit for funerals and cremation services. They have a variety of urns available, from simple ceramic boxes to flashy, decorative jars. You can also ask them for assistance if you want the ashes scattered.
You might just have to extend a bit of patience while you’re making arrangements. Some customers have expressed how much they didn’t like that the representative tried to upsell while they were grieving.
Thankfully, the rest of their personnel seem to be better at reading the room. We were even relieved to find out that plenty of clients were able to laugh or feel much better after talking to them.
They made the experience easy for us
“AL Mattatall was excellent, kind, and courteous when helping us plan for our father’s service. They made the experience easy for us and helped us decide what would be best for our family without being pushing or rushing us. We would recommend using this funeral home for anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one.”
Crystal MacArthur, Google Review
They helped me create the celebration of life that my husband deserved
“Kirk, Jim and all of the staff at the Mattatall funeral home were angels in my darkest hour. They gently walked me and my family through every step with such compassion and understanding and became like family to us in the short time that we met them. They helped me to create the celebration of life that I needed and the one my husband deserved. I will forever be grateful for the experience our family had at Mattatall’s and would recommend them to everyone who is looking for an authentic way to celebrate their loved one’s life and passing.”
Jennifer Tibbo, Google Review
